Dayton Audubon Society, 1375 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton,
OH 45414-5398
Photo by Jim Simpson
The Officers and Directors of the Dayton Audubon Society wish you a joyful holiday season and a happy and prosperous new year.
Christmas Bird Count
The 84th Dayton Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count will take place on Sunday, December 30, 2007. Local participants, in 12 teams, will attempt to identify and count all of the birds in 12 areas (see below) located within a 15-mile diameter area centered at the intersection of Needmore Road and Webster Street.
Everyone is welcome to participate, so check the list of areas below to find the team you would like to join. Feeder watchers can also participate if the feeder is within the count area, and if the results are reported at or before the compilation meeting.
The Christmas Count tradition began in New England on Christmas Day, 1900, when 27 conservationists organized a bird count to protest the traditional, organized hunting competition known as the "holiday side hunt." Instead of shooting birds, the conservationists simply observed and counted them. The tradition caught on and spread, and now, every holiday season, thousands of participants across the country take to the fields and woods to record wintering bird species. The data collected over the years has provided useful and interesting information on early winter distribution patterns of many bird species (as well as occasional fluctuations), and serves as a valid indicator of the overall health of the environment. Our local Christmas Count has been affiliated with the National Audubon Christmas count since 1923.
The results of the count will be tabulated at our Compilation Meeting on Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at 7:15 p.m., at Aullwood Audubon Center, 1000 Aullwood Road. Even if you cannot participate in the count itself, you are invited to attend the Compilation Meeting. Light refreshments will be served, and many interesting sightings and amusing tales will be told.
Grab your binoculars and spotting scopes, and dress warmly! We always have a great time no matter what the weather. If you have any questions, please contact Sue Tackett at 439-3799.
Christmas Count Areas and Leaders
Aullwood
Audubon Center and Farm, Dayton Airport
Ray Corder 833-4177
Carriage Hill
MetroPark
Mike Coogan 438-5688
Charleston Falls
Reserve
Sue Tackett 439-3799
Cricket
Holler
Jim Williams 342-9472
Downtown Parks,
Leland Center, Boonshoft Museum, Miami River North, Wolf Creek
Dick Balk 886-0092
Eastwood Lake,
Huffman Reservoir, Mad River
Dave Nolin 432-0266
Englewood
MetroPark
(Contact Sue Tackett, 439-3799)
Hill and Dales
Park, Old River, Carillon Park, Calvary Cemetery, Miami River South
Daryl Michael 687-1480
Taylorsville
MetroPark
Tom Hissong 890-7360
Woodland
Cemetery
Jim and Annette Arnold 862-4437
Wright State University,
Hilltop Gravel Pit
Ken and Gretchen Beers, 767-1457
Wright-Patterson
AFB
Charlotte Mathena 433-2167
B-W Greenway
Our JANUARY 16, 2008 DAS MEETING will feature Bob Jurick of the Beaver Creek-Wenrick Greenway. The B-W Greenway Community (BWGC) is working to connect Greene County's Beaver Creek Wetlands with Clark County's Wenrick Wetlands to create a strategic link in the Greater Dayton Greenbelt. Come out to meet Bob and learn first hand of this group's efforts to protect and promote natural corridors in the Greater Dayton Greenbelt. A possible new Important Bird Area will be announced.
Aullwood Interns
For many years, Dayton Audubon has helped sponsor the intern program at Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm by annually providing a small stipend to each of the that year's interns, to help off-set living expenses. Environmental Educator Nicole Conrad of Aullwood, who directs the intern program, will give Dayton Audubon members a chance to meet this year's interns at our FEBRUARY 20, 2008 MEETING. Nicole and the interns will be on hand to talk about their backgrounds, their plans, and their experiences at Aullwood. Come on out and take part in one of the fine opportunities that Dayton Audubon supports.
Both of the above programs will take place at WEGERZYN GARDEN CENTER, 1301 EAST SIEBENTHALER AVENUE FROM 7:00 P.M. TO 9:00 P.M. Our meetings are held in the main auditorium; you can enter through the front doors and elevator or stairs. Everyone is encouraged to attend and bring their friends. Refreshments will be served, and parking is free. Please join us! Hang this article on your 'fridge so you won't forget!
Calendar
Tuesday, December 11, 7:30 p.m.
DAS Board of Directors Meeting
Harrigan Auto Center Reserve, 475 Congress Park Dr.
Sunday, December 30
84th DAS Christmas Bird Count
Please see the article above.
Wednesday, January 2, 7:15 p.m.
Christmas Count Compilation Meeting
Aullwood Audubon Center. Please see above.
Tuesday, January 8, 7:30 p.m.
DAS Board of Directors Meeting
Harrigan Auto Center Reserve, 475 Congress Park Dr.
Wednesday, January 16, 7:00 p.m.
DAS Program/Meeting - B-W Greenway
Please see the article above
.
Tuesday, February 12, 7:30 p.m.
DAS Board of Directors Meeting
Harrigan Auto Center Reserve, 475 Congress Park Dr.
Saturday, February 16, 9:00 a.m.
Field Trip: Oxbow Miami River.
Our 21st annual walk at this excellent area where the Great Miami River meets the Ohio, west of Cincinnati. Always well worth the hour drive down. If the river is up, many waterfowl species, migrating shorebirds, herons, and raptors can be expected. Take I-75 south to I-275 west. Exit at US 50 to Lawrenceburg just before the Ohio River bridge. Left at the traffic light on US 50 towards Lawrenceburg. Just past the Shell station on the left, turn left and take the road up and over the levee. At the cement plant, turn right and go about 100 yards until you see a small stand of trees, then turn left and look for the parking area on the right. Note: There are no restrooms there. Please bring a lunch, and your scope if you have one. Leader: Jim Simpson (433-3649).
Wednesday, February 21, 7:00 p.m.
DAS Program/Meeting - Aullwood Interns
Please see the article above.
Tom Schaefer Moderates
Rachel Carson Blog
DAS Board member Tom Schaefer is moderating an internet web log (blog) focused on the life and work of Rachel Carson. The blog can be found at http://rcbookclub.blogspot.com/, and Dayton Audubon members are invited to participate.
Tom is our Projects and Memorials chair, and a former President of Dayton Audubon. He is also a former member of the Audubon Ohio Advisory Board and chair of its Education Committee, and directed the Audubon Summer Camp in Greenwich, Connecticut for several years.
Caesar Creek Christmas Count
Mark your calendars! The 3rd annual Caesar Creek/Spring Valley Christmas Bird Count will be held on Friday, December 14, 2007. (Please note that this is a change from our first two years, when the counts were scheduled on Thursdays.) They have again selected a weekday to avoid counting during the duck hunting season; apologies to those of you who cannot get off work.
For early risers, they will look and listen for owls at 6 a.m. They will regroup at the Visitor Center at 8:30 a.m., break into teams, and search for waterfowl and songbirds. At 1 p.m. counters will meet at the Visitor
Center for a hot lunch (free) sponsored by the Friends of Caesar Creek.
For more information, call 513-897-1050.
Hall of Fame
Congratulations and Best Wishes to Ralph Dennler, the compiler and voice of the DAS Rare Bird Alert hotline. Ralph was inducted into the Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame on August 12, 2007. Active for many years as both an actor and director in Dayton area community theaters, Ralph is also an avid and expert birdwatcher. DAS salutes you, Ralph!
Warm Up With Aullwood's Winter Bird Identification Course
Winter is a great season to sharpen your bird ID skills and to study avian behavior. This workshop, on January 20, 2008, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Aullwood Audubon Center will help you improve your winter bird watching skills, whether you're just starting out or are an experienced birder. The program will begin with an indoor session to review basic natural history, field ID, and vocalizations of Ohio's most common winter birds. Then we'll migrate to Spring Valley Wildlife Area for some outdoor bird watching. This unique birding spot provides a variety of habitats and a diversity of birds to observe. Bring a bag lunch and binoculars, and dress for the weather!
For more information, and to register, contact Tom Hissong at 937-890-7360.
11th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count
Count for the Birds in America's Great Backyard, Feb 15-18, 2008
* No fee or registration required
* All ages and skill levels welcome
* Track results in real time online
* Count in your backyard, balcony, schoolyard, park, wildlife refuge
* Be a part of the network
Sponsored by National Audubon Society and Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. Join with thousand of others to find out how many birds are being seen in your area and across the continent this winter. By participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count, you help document where birds are, and track changes in their numbers compared to previous years, helping scientists paint a picture of the state of birds this winter.
For more information, or to get started, go to http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/
Get Involved!
Are you fond of birding-related activities? Are you interested in the environment? Do you wish the Dayton Audubon Society offered more for YOU? Well, we can use you!
DAS is always seeking new Officer and Director candidates. If you or someone you know is interested in helping to develop and lead your DAS, please contact President Mike Coogan, or any of the officers or Board members listed on the Organization web page. A simple commitment of time, with a wealth of satisfaction!
DAS Scholarships Available
The Dayton Audubon Society is deeply committed to education
and,in part, shows that commitment by offering scholarships annually to
individuals who can make a difference in our community. Perhaps you know
someone who might benefit from the DAS mission. Read on and, if you can,
help us find deserving scholars.
Charlie Breish Memorial Camp Scholarships
Dayton Audubon offers financial assistance for teachers and other adults to attend National Audubon's summer ecology workshops in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming, the woodland community of Connecticut, and the coast of Maine.
While the camps and workshops are open to everyone these days, they are still especially popular with teachers. If you know of a dynamic elementary or secondary teacher, let us know about them!
National Audubon also offers a summer camp in Maine to youngsters ages 10 through 14.
The Dively Scholarship
Since 1982, DAS has offered tuition help to college students
through the Dively Scholarship Program, originally endowed in memory of
DAS member Dick Dively. Though we cannot offer a lot of money, the Dively
Scholarship has helped both undergraduate and graduate students reach academic
goals in fields that further the cause of environmentalism and conservation.
Dively scholarship recipients are not restricted to scientific fields;
other connections, such as environmental law, are possible.
The Shawen Grant
The Bob Shawen Memorial Youth Ornithology Grant was established in
memory of long-time DAS activist Bob Shawen. The goal of the program is
to provide funds, materials, and/or speakers for elementary classrooms,
youth groups, or field experience settings to promote knowledge of birds,
their habits, and their habitats.
What can you do?
Help us find scholarship candidates. Talk to interested people or people you think ought to be interested. Spread the word! To recommend candidates, apply for scholarships, or receive further information, please call DAS Projects/Memorials Chair Tom Schaefer at 937-276-2162, or e-mail him at tom@earthspeaks.org. You can also write to
Dayton Audubon Society
1375 East Siebenthaler Avenue
Dayton, Ohio 45414-5398
or e-mail us at
audubon@dayton.net
Audubon In The Classroom
As students are heading back to school, the National Audubon Society is preparing its 22nd season of Audubon Adventures, an acclaimed environmental education publication for 4th, 5th, or 6th grade elementary classrooms. Audubon Adventures helps teachers make learning about science and nature part of students' everyday lives, integrating reading with science and other core disciplines.
More educators than ever are using Audubon Adventures to bring environmental education into their classrooms, and research shows that incorporating the environment into the curriculum supports improved learning, test scores and community service.
According to a 2000 report issued by the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation, in which they reviewed schools that adopted environmental education as the central focus of their academic programs, the results of including environmental education in the classroom were striking - reading and mathematics scores improved, students performed better in science and social studies, they developed the ability to transfer their knowledge from familiar to unfamiliar contexts, they learned to "do science" rather than just "learn about science," and classroom discipline problems declined.
This year, Audubon Adventures is focusing on four compelling topics: Home is Where the Nest Is, The Buzz about Native Bees, Bats: Mammals on the Wing, and Wild About Birds, featuring The Legacy of John James Audubon. Audubon invites elementary school teachers around the country to engage students' curiosity about the natural world by bringing science to life in the classroom with Audubon Adventures. Each issue is full of facts, activities, and action tips that connect nature with science, reading, and art, and also inspire and empower kids to care for nature in their daily lives.
DAS annually sponsors Audubon Adventures for a number of area schools. If you know of a classroom that would like us to sponsor Audubon Adventures for them, or you would like to sponsor a class yourself, please contact Dick Balk at 886-0092. The cost for Audubon Adventures is $35 per classroom, and the packets are designed for a class of up to 30 students.
The kids need you! We can make a difference!
Environmental Legacy
A bequest of any size to Dayton Audubon can have a lasting effecton on
ecological concerns and environmental education in the Dayton area. We ask that you consider leaving a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder of your estate after other bequests, to
the Dayton Audubon Society.
For more specifics on this, or other information about gift planning, please phone Tom Schaefer, 937-276-2162, or write to Dayton Audubon Society, 1375 E. Siebenthaler Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45414-5398.
Time and Talents
Dayton Audubon is an organization of volunteers committed to education, the natural sciences, and an environmental ethic. Help and new ideas from the ranks of the membership are needed in order for the organization to reach its goals. If you would like to help in any of the following capacities, please let us know. Your involvement will be welcome.
I would like to help with:
__ Birdathon
__ Conservation
__ Education
__ Field Trips
__ Membership
__ Programs
__ Publicity
__ Yellow Warbler
__ Other:
________________________
Send with your name and phone number to Dayton Audubon Society,
1375 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45414-5398. You can also
call DAS President Mike Coogan at 937-438-5688, or e-mail us at
audubon@dayton.net.
As a member of the National Audubon Society, you are also a member
of the Dayton area chapter. There are no local dues, and you receive your
newsletter automatically. To find out more about the Dayton Audubon Society,
contact one of the officers whose numbers are listed in the Dayton Audubon
Society Organization webpage. Better yet, come to
a meeting or join us on a field trip!
The DAS meets at 7:00 p.m. at the Wegerzyn Center, 1301
East Siebenthaler Avenue, on the third Wednesday of every month from September
to June. See you there!
Southwest Ohio Rare Bird Alert
937-640-BIRD (2473)
Includes updated information on DAS activities.
To report unusual sightings, call Betty Berry at 937-836-3022, or
Ralph Dennler at 937-294-5086
Christmas Bird Count 